HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Alabama A&M (9-15, 9-10 SWAC) hung with the top team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) before a steady offensive approach by Jackson State (27-8, 21-0 SWAC) led to a second straight 9-3 decision in an NCAA Division I baseball game on Sunday, May 2.
 
The Tigers got on the board in the first with a single by CJ Newsome and a double down the left field line by Ty Hill to go up 1-0. The latter would then advance to third and then score on separate wild pitches for a two-run margin after one.
 
Hill would be the catalyst once again as he singled to lead off the third, went to second on a wild pitch and came around to score on a single through the right side by Chenar Brown. Three batters later Brown would make it 4-0 on a sacrifice fly by Wesley Reyes before the Bulldogs got out of the inning.
 
It would be A&M's turn to wake up the bats in the home half of the inning as freshman third baseman Jalen Ford (Birmingham, Ala.) drew a one-out walk before a hard hit double to left by freshman outfielder Janmikell Bastardo (Fort Myers, Fla.) put runners on second and third.
 
Junior outfielder Teddy Bridges (Montgomery, Ala.) got the Bulldogs on the board with a sacrifice fly and sophomore catcher Dillon Roop (New Market, Ala.) brought home Bastardo with a single to halve the lead. Following a walk to push Roop into scoring position he would score on a single to left by senior designated hitter Brock Mitchell to get it to within 4-3.
 
JSU would tack on sac flies in the fourth and fifth to extend to a three-run lead before Hill singled home a seventh run in the top of the eighth. Holding that 7-3 lead in the ninth, Reyes would factor into the final scoring as he ripped a two-out RBI double and then eventually stole home for what would be the final margin of 9-3.
 
Roop led Alabama A&M with a 2-for-5 day and was one of three players with a solo RBI, being joined by Bridges and Mitchell. Jalen Ford added a run and a pair of walks while freshman first baseman Dylan Hall (Elkmont, Ala.) was 2-for-3 with a free pass.
 
On the hill, freshman lefty Jason Garcia (Miami, Fla.) went the first two innings and allowed four runs to suffer the loss and fall to 0-1. Freshman righty Jason Marono (Miami, Fla) then added six innings of work in relief, surrendering three runs over that time.
 
Hill was ever-present as he went 4-for-5 with a double, two runs, a pair of RBIs and a steal to pace the Tigers while Brown and Reyes each produced a two-RBI day. Marshal Luiz delivered the only other RBI and Equon Smith was 3-for-3 with two runs and a pair of steals. Nikelle Galatas posted a strong seven innings, allowing three runs while striking out eight to pick up the win and move to 8-2 on the year.
 
The Bulldogs wrap up the regular season next weekend as they head to rival Alabama State for a three-game set from May 7-9. The first two games of that set will be at 6 p.m. with the finale at 1 p.m.
 
NOTES
Prior to the game Alabama A&M Athletics and head coach Elliott Jones recognized five seniors for their contributions to the program … those individuals included Otis Smith, Michael Hovermill, Brock Mitchell, Isom Ford and Pierre Brewton.

2021 BASEBALL SENIOR DAY GALLERY